My accident

[emily_in_nc]

Hi all, I've been away for awhile. Unfortunately, I had an accident on my bike recently. On Sunday the 17th, my husband and I were heading out for a 60-mile training ride (for a century on May 6), when a couple of big, black dogs approached us from the side. In trying to escape the dogs, I went down with a bang and fractured my pelvis in three places. I had to be rushed to the ER at Duke and had surgery the following day to put a big plate on my right illium. I was in the hospital until last Friday.

I am home now with a hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, and port-a-potty. I can't put my weight on the leg for eight weeks. Looks like I'll be riding the trainer again before I dare ride the roads. We're going to have to come up with a good dog strategy for the future as I have always been scared of them and am now terrified. In a silver lining, my lovely Aegis Swift seems fine; so far the only obvious damage is a scuffed Terry Butterfly saddle. My pelvis definitely took the brunt of the accident.

I also came down on the side of my head. My helmet didn't even crack, and I had no concussion. I am very thankful I was wearing a helmet as I might have had a severe head injury otherwise. Wear your helmets, ladies, and be careful out there!

Emily in NC

[Adventure Girl]

Oh oh oh oh oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

I hope you feel better soon!!!

{{{{{HUG}}}}}

[SadieKate]

Oh, Emily! I'm sending healing brainwaves to you! Ommmmm!

SK

[fixedgeargirl]

Emily, I'm so sorry to hear of your accident!!! That sounds frightening and painful. I hope you are healing well now that you are home. If I lived near by I'd come cook some dinner!!!!! You are already on the road back.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Emily -
I'm so sorry to hear of your accident, and I'm very glad that you always wear a helmet. I wish I could help in some way, but I guess the good wishes that I'm sending your way for a fast and good recovery will have to do for now. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. And if it would help to talk to someone who was going through her own version of bicycle withdrawal last summer, I'm here!


This is BikerChick. A friend gave her to me to help with my recovery last year, and she made sure to exercise my bikes for me when I wasn't able to. Anyway, BikerChick sends you get well wishes too.

--- Denise

[nuthatch]

Emily, what awful news!!! I bet it all happened in a split-second - I just hate to hear about any of us having an accident. Any long-term difficulties forseen by the docs? Is the plate temporary? Take your calcium!

Good thought on the DVT, MM. I think muscley legs might be prone to it - anyone know?

[MightyMitre]

Hi Emily - very sorry to hear about your accident. That's horrid! You may have read about my riding partners husband in January who amongst other things broke his pelvis too, so I know how you must be suffering.

I hope you heal soon. I guess the next few weeks will be a good time to catch up on all those books you meant to read and films you never got a chance to watch. Still, not a substitute for being out on the bike.

BTW - I'm sure you've got this covered - it's probably an automatic thing in the US but just thought I'd mention it. As you're going to be immobile for some time will you be taking any medication to make sure deep vein thrombosis at kept at bay?

[Dirt Girl]

Emily! I've been wondering where you were! And hoping it was something like a long, lovely vacation. I'm so sorry to hear otherwise.

Sending you good wishes for a full and quick recovery!

[AutumnBreez]

I am sending you healing energy too! Om
Agree on the helmet use, you are a smart woman to wear it at all times!

You will be on my mind now that I have read this.

Take care sweety, we will keep watching for your healing reports. Love fromBreezy

[Selkie]

Emily - So sorry to hear about your mishap. Thank goodness you're ok (and the dogs didn't come after you on top of everything else!!!). Make sure your husband treats you extra special while you recouperate. Probably most of us on the board have had down time due to injuries, so we know how it feels. I hope you heal quickly.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for all the kind words, ladies! I knew you all were the greatest...

Re. DVT, yes indeedy. I've been on an injectible blood thinner since a couple of days after surgery. I give myself a shot every night in my tummy - not the most fun, but necessary. I also do tons of calf exercises and moving around to keep chances lower.

The plate is permanent (thank goodness). I shouldn't have to have any further surgeries unless I don't heal properly.

I am taking tons of calcium plus eating yogurt, skim milk, almonds, and broccoli (all good sources).

I should be back 100% per the surgeons. I got a couple of the very best in their field, so I feel very fortunate to live in an area with great hospitals. Duke ranks way up there for trauma cases and orthopedics, as well as sports medicine.

It is time for a nap! Thanks again for your kind thoughts....

Emily

[Melody]

Emily, get well soon! Healing always sucks. I'm sorry that you ended up in the accident.

Sending healing thoughts too

Mel

[CorsairMac]

adding you to my list of prayers Em! I'm so sorry to hear about your accident!! I'm very glad to hear you're back home and already working on your recovery!! Take it slow and let your body do what it does best when it come to healing! coz we sure hope to see you back here on the the TE board And on the BJ.com Team Estrogen Team logging in miles and having some friendly competition along with the rest of us!!!

[Karen London]

is there any chance you could sue those *&-(&^ dogs?

get well soon

[caligurl]

oh emily... how awful! i'm glad to hear that you are home from the hospital and on the mend! take care and you'll be back in the saddle before you know it! {{HUGS}}